Sunday, August 28, 2011

I took "Old and New" on Sunday and I was so pleased with it straight out of the camera that I felt confident this collection would come together beautifully. As the week went on I was filled with doubt- I chose 5 but I kept on shooting, just in case I found something better.

Friday, August 26, 2011

My "big" kids were doing their workbooks at the table and my little one rejected all my attempts to distract him: water colors, stickers, crayons and markers- he would have none of it.

That's when I remembered the window markers from my mother in law.

Wonder of wonders, they worked! He was entranced, and I was relieved to have some peace and quiet.

My little girl finished her coloring and matching shapes in her work book so she moved to the window.

She made a big circle and said "Look Mom, I made a sun! and there's you and me under the sun."

Now, I usually resist anything that might make a mess but as I watched them color I remembered the importance of letting them have fun even if it makes a mess. These didn't make a terrible mess but I feel myself turning a corner... a friend once told me that when it comes to arts and crafts, creativity can be measured by how messy you get. Well then... let the creativity begin!

Of all the photos I've taken this week, this is hands down my favorite :)

Wednesday, August 24, 2011

Over the past couple weeks, my son has been staying up late (from nap time) to work on his science experiments. He claims that it is much more fun than school!

He made liquids change color using acids, bases and red cabbage juice powder, he made jiggly crystals out of polyacrylamide crystals, and an "under water volcano" in a test tube. I really love the one on one time with him- I think he loves the pipette, the measuring and mixing all by himself. We have only tried one experiment that he disliked- cornstarch mixed with water to form a non-Newtonian fluid.

He said it smelled like Ostrich poo. Hmm. Interesting observation.

Here are the polyacrylamide crystals that soaked up colored water.

Here is his "underwater volcano." The ingredients are: water, baking soda, red cabbage juice powder and oil. We counted down "Three! Two! One!" and then he added a small scoop of citric acid which sank to the bottom and created a chemical reaction with the baking soda. Carbon dioxide bubbles! Color change! Fizz! I think my kid liked it too ;)
I decided to photograph some oil and water experiments of my own. Using red cabbage juice powder, baking soda and citric acid, I changed the color of the water several times, with varying results. I showed you one of the photos from this simple experiment on Monday- here are some more!

Tuesday, August 23, 2011

A couple months ago, my husband made delicious roasted corn on the cobb for a family cook out. It was so delicious that I still catch myself day dreaming about it from time to time... just last night I thought wistfully about that mouth watering corn as I cooked dinner. Unfortunately I didn't actually have any corn on the cobb and at 6:00 PM it's too late to run to the store with 3 little ones. Apparently I suffer from Planning Deficit Disorder because this kind of thing happens way too often. But, even though I only had frozen corn kernels I forged ahead- and it worked! Who says frozen food has to be bland? It came together very quickly and it can be served with anything (no promises that it actually goes with anything).

Directions
Combine all basil butter ingredients in a small bowl; mix well.

Preheat grill (or oven to 350 degrees).

Place each ear of corn on sheet of foil. Spread prepared butter on each ear of corn; wrap securely. Place wrapped corn on preheated grill on medium heat. Cook 20 to 30 minutes or until heated through, turning occasionally during cook time. Unwrap and serve corn with remaining basil butter. 5 servings.

or if you suffer from PDD, simply heat corn kernels and basil butter in a heavy pan or cast iron skillet until hot, about 5 minutes.

I 'm going to start planning dinner now while I have plenty of time... we shall see how it goes :)

Directions:
In a small saucepan, melt the butter; remove from heat. Add cocoa and mix well. Stir in sugar. Add milk and stir until smooth. Add peanut butter and mix well. Drop by teaspoonfuls onto wax paper; flatten tops and shape into 1-inch patties. Stick them in the fridge and chill for a few minutes. Yield: about 1-1/2 dozen.

Monday, August 15, 2011

Edit: A volunteer is a plant that re-seeded itself and grew up unexpectedly. While it is very exciting to find little sprouts popping up, I don't have any tips for how to make your plants volunteer... I guess that's the nature of "volunteering" isn't it?
So here is a way to harvest your own Marigold seeds:

1. Snip off the dead heads

2. Pull off the petals

3. Open the flower

4. Plant your seeds or save them in a cool, dry place for next year.

It just occurred to me that you'll save about $2.00! ;)
Is anyone else laughing?